Asmodai could never be the head Chaplain. One example will make my point, Asmodai once made an entire company swear an oath of silence for an entire year. Their crime? He heard one of them laughing... once. I absolutely love the dynamic between Asmodai and Sapphon, my fav moment between them is when they actually agree on something and try to rope Sammael into their plan and he wants nothing to do with it.

"ASMODAIIIIIII!" "INTERROGATE?!" "HE HAS A SUSPICIOUS BOOK!" "BOOK!" "HE'S IN CAHOOTS WITH THE FALLEN!" "FALLEN!!" "MAKE HIM REPENT! " "REEEPENNNNTTTT!!"

Ezekiel is actually the reason I got into dark angels way back when. I always thought he was an underrated aspect of the chapter. A true reflection of some of the traits. Asmodai always seemed like a lunatic. Someone to avoid giving the reins of power lest he steer the ship into a maelstrom

So glad to see lore that doesn’t just glorify Asmodai as the end all he all of the Dark Angels. We need more Sapphon!

That was a great scene where Sapphon stopped Asmodai in his tracks. A feat few could manage at all, whilst done calmly and effortlessly. Sapphon is 100% the right choice for master of sanctity. Whilst he seems an insufficient disciplinarian in the moment, I'd wager the talk he planned to have with that terminator would be profoundly impactful and transfomative, more so than a sharp rebuke. He'd change the terminators outlook rather than a behavioural flaw.

Sapphon and Asmodai, represent the duality of the Dark Angels and it is fascinating to see. In turn these two characters represent what is within the Lion. Yeah our favorite primarch is socially inept, yet these two marines show more than anything who he is. Now if a proper writer can capture it that would be even better. For as the False Oracle has spoken, “The Lion will return.”

Sapphon is just a far better leader and more reasonable person than Asmodai, Asmodai is the guy your scared of but secretly hoping gets hit with a lascannon Sapphon is the kind of guy you'd jump infront of a lascannon blast to save.

ASMODAI: Why that's a nice city you got there... it be a shame if any rumors of FALLEN were staying there... ((flicks lighter))

If the Lion was around, Asmodai would go the way of Brother-Redemptor Nemiel.

Well done, Wolf Lord. It's rarer and rarer to do dives into new and more obscure characters. This really is top shelf content.

He has a deeper voice. And he isn’t borderline insane.

Azreal wants to save the DA from their curse and complete the hunt. Saphin can help them find identity and purpose without the fallen. Asmodai is not capable of moving into a new age without tainting it with the darkness inside of him.

Asmodai and the brutal, uncompromising nature of the Angels when pulled along by his momentum have long been one of the largest reasons for why I haven't appreciated the Angels as much as I admired the Lion himself. If Sapphon can be a curb to that extremity, and bring some much-needed humanity and reason to their interactions with others, I could really see them rising to again be seen as one of the most powerful and trusted chapters. I hope that should the Lion be the next to return, he sees the critical importance of Sapphon to the chapter's future. Really loved the story, especially his recognization that the worth of old chapter trinkets and trash matter far less than the trust and admiration of the mortal humans of the Imperium

First for the first legion baby

If the lion returns I think Asmodai could yell his way into losing his head.

I hope Sapphon gets more love and attention in Lore and maybe even a Mini, I hope the Lion's return helps with this as the Lion should appreciate Sapphon very much, like Guilliman Appreciates Ventris. Azrael, Sapphon, Belial and I think even Sammael, in my experience, are all level headed and good leaders. I think writers are doing a shitty disservice when they interperate all the Dark Angels with Asmodai's personality when that isnt how it should be at all. Hell, one of the most widely used picture of a green space marine carrying a guardsman out of a fire, is a Dark Angel, often mistaken for a Salamander. And it's not innacurate, even Azrael, in "Trials of Azrael", goes out of his way to save a single woman that was stranded on a ship that had been destroyed in battle. Belial regrets that he missed the chance to kill Ghazkull because of the lives he could have saved if he'd managed to kill Ghaz. (to be fair, he was doing well but i'm pretty sure his armour broke down during the fight because of the damage Ghaz managed to do) Theres far too many cases of writers depicting the Dark Angels as having no care for civillians, sacrificing everything for a chance to get at the fallen, and lacking any sense of comradery when thats just wrong and it just makes the Dark Angels seem unreasonably shitty for no reason. In another short story, Asmodai and Belial ask Azrael to consider declaring Exterminatus and Azrael takes time to come to a desicion, dismissing them and saying "I will not decide the fate of a world, on a whim" Eventually they do because the Planet has been ruined far to much to be particularly worth Saving, and Exterminatus would free them up to persue Ghazkull and a lead on one of the Fallen. Which is great, because theres actually reason behind it, as opposed to "there was a whiff of fallen nearby, so they fucked over their allies and dipped"

The real question is who wouldn’t choose Sapphon over Asmodai? Asmodai‘s a nut job 💀

Asmodai is a damn psychopath (even for 40k). Every organization needs a front man to sell it. Asmodai is not that.

In retrospect, i can't help but feel sapphon and his portrayal here is a lead up to the lion's character upon his return

as much as i like Asmodai's zealotry, i have a feeling that with Sapphon calm demeanor, he would be able to take on Asmodai in a fight using Asmodai's rage to his advantage

When you mentioned the Nobility of the DA my mind went to that one short story where that was supposed to show one of the earlier interaction with a Primaris DA one of the greyshields ... where he gave a cloak to a woman they were questioning ...

If you look at the latest DA books, Sapphon's appointment should not be any surprise. Under Azrael, himself intelligent, rational and capable of seeing his own chapter's flaws, the Dark Angels are going through a period of reform where the more fanatical elements are being tempered by being subordinated to cooler heads like Sapphon and Ezekiel (who outright acknowledges that the Imperium is a hellhole but that it's also the best option for humanity). In addition, with the promotion of Lazarus, they are also moving towards a slightly for tolerant and moderate mindset. Not to say that they are abandoning their priorities and the hunt for the Fallen, but they do seem to be transitioning from the heavy-handed let's blow up a Black Templar ship style stupidity to something subtler and more akin to Alpha Legion style special ops.

Always good to learn more of the deep lore of my battle brothers.

The reason is simple: Asmodai is the man you want executing strategy, not formulating it.

Every dark angels is choose for his actions and honor,sapphon was choose maybe because he is the one who knows the path to every secret and himself was a secret

Star Trek the Next Generation, what an absolute gem. That show taught some good lessons.

Me listening, "really, - figuratively - raked over coals?" Rho knowing what everybody is thinking, "okay, literally.."

Great as always mate!

Didn't know much anything about Sapphon until now. Thanks!

My earliest days of 40k has belial stand out the most, and that still stands true for me today. Dude is a badass and the first are my favourite faction with the custodes coming close second, even after learning the many depths of the others chugging about

The artwork and model are actually of Sapphon but a mistake in a white dwarf article named the art piece as Asmodai and then on in the codex and such as always been referred to Asmodai. Even the first statues made of that artwork had Sapphon on their bases.

Excellent critique as always.

I can't wait for the audiobook

Sapphon is a great counter to the strict and lack of compassion Azriel which makes for a great leadership dynamic. When you get 2 headstrong and one way of doing things leaders you get the Black Templar's which works for them but does not fit the mission and tasks the Dark Angels are meant to counter. Great book and writing from GW its not always this good but this one was great.

Legacy of caliban series is what got me into dark angels and 40k what must be 6-7 years ago .. awesome books !

This was great rho. Thanks man. 🇮🇪🤙

Any conversations between the lion and asmodai are going to be fascinating. I could see asmodai being a reminder to the lion of how he behaved during the crusade, and may keep asmodai close for that reason, Kinda like kato sacarius and guliman.

Thank you for Upload :)

Dedication wins wars, fanaticism starts the next one.

I'm still waiting for the Farsight spotlight Rho. I like Sapphon, his still have human side. Clam and maintain rank and he won't allow his fellow Dark angels killing civilians whos desperate to survive

I think Asmodai being the face of the chapter has kind of hurt the Dark Angel's reputation among fans. I've spoken with life long 40k fans who assume the Angels are all like Asmodai.

So on point with the comparison to Picard! The way you described the scene I could see Sapphon pacing and using Picard's mannerisms, talking sense or at least subordination into Asmodai. I also agree that is heresy to cross franchises. Which is why as an MTG player I'm having a real hard time swallowing those 40k decks they released -_-

Sapphon is like a babysitter who has to keep Asmodai in check and I love every second of it XD Sapphon is the good cop and Asmodai is the bad cop. I love the way Gav wrote their foil of a relationship and just everything about those two idiots

Nice contrast between the characters

I like Saphon. A level head is needed in the Dark Angels ranks because I feel that the more they obsess over more, they follow that fallen path.

It's a rare individual indeed that can snap Asmodai back into place.

Right man for the right job

I love the dark angels just when you think that you have them pinned they show you a new side multifaceted just like the way they fight.

Sapphon is my favorite Dark Angel 40k character. I really enjoyed his attitude - outsmarting the Fallen, tricking them to get more information out of them, not pointless torture - actually not even carring about their redemption, just the addiction to uncover their schemes - pushing to the limits in his mindgames with them. The story-arc also showed the Inner Circle's politics and was interesting from this point of view. Sapphon and the Ravenwing leaders all appear to be a bit more nuanced than Belial or Asmodai.

Having been under the leadership of both a contemplative and calm style and a loud firebrand style the quiet and contemplating leader is much much better. Makes better decisions.

Of course the committee answer is that Adam that azreal needs a personal interrogator to deal with renegade mechanicus that possess suspicious books

That statement about not being able to see any other way ..when you've mentioned Picard who is notorious for killing others because they do not accept his views ...

Wasnt it asmodia thay called forvthen attack on the black templar strike cruser that was supposed to be holding cypher

If Sapphon is the grand master of the chaplains, why do we not have a model for him?

Sapphos is the Obiwan to asmodai’s anakin

What a cool character, as you said a diplomat more than an interrogator.

So Sapphon is the good cop of interrogators.

Rho!

I'm going to go out on a limb here, but once the Lion reunites with The Angels, I think he will absolutely love Sapphon and will not be a fan of Asmodai. So I sense some future conflict between Lion and some of his more extreme sons.

Sapphon looks like an amazing guy. He must have some Salamander geneseed.

Asmodai needs to be traded to The Angry Marines.

I need a Sapphon model

agreed

Asmodai " l want a transfer to the Black Templars".

Asmodai has a will of solid steel, but it makes him incapable of seeing solutions that require discretion or subtlety. As a chapter with such an emphasis on secret agendas, that's a liability.

See for me I see Sapphon, it reminds me of Sappho the Greek Poet, who also is spelled with Phi in Greek not Pi. So I'd have to agree even if we're not equating it to the same root.

Asmodai definitely seems like the Cawl of the Dark Angels. Someone who shouldn't be in charge in fear of what they'd do when with so much power.

i much prefer chaplins like Sappon for the dark angels of which we need more of as the dark angels seem to have lost thier way through out the chapter as a whole

Does Saphon have a model?

Everyone has a place where they excel. Just because you're good at one position doesn't guarantee you'll be good in another position. . . . Praise Slaanesh :P

i see dark angels and i click

The best part about asmodai is that even the rest of the first are like "bro chill"

Asmodai: Are we there yet? Azreal: That's the reason why I chose Sapphon

Picard may deliver a carefully worded smack down, but Kirk would deliver an awesome flying kick to an alien's back. I think Asmodai would as well.

Saphon is the one in the front cover, with the huge sword

My favourite loyalists are the Dark Angels and the Blood Angels. I see Asmodai as more equivalent to Lemartes and Sapphon more like Astorath. Lemartes obviously being the exaggeration of the chapter's trait being a chaplain who is in permanent black rage but has the strength of will to maintain some level of control, whereas Astorath is not subject to the black rage (yet) and takes his duties very seriously

Wonder how the Lion will handle Asmodai

Angel of Mercy

given all the monitoring astartes go through, if Asmodai's unstable, why isn't some brain therapy part of his daily rituals?

Lemuel was died by Lion's sword for being an overzealous Chaplain. Asmodai would risk the same fate.

Would love to see picardy in this universe! Lol

Asmodai is close to heresy, he is almost out-right insane. This 100% makes him mad and there is a great chance to him turning traitor.

Don't go off the audiobooks for names. Between 2 official audiobooks over heard Abaddon's first name pronounced Ezekiel and Eze-Kyle. Also thr sword as Draken-yen and Draak-nyen.

A bit of lore trivia - the name Piscina 4 comes from a series of old 2nd edition battle reports in White Dwarf where a writer wanted a name for a planet to fight on; he lived on Fishpond Road and checked translations of Fishpond and picked Piscina! I think he lived in house number 4 too. This remains the battle of 4 Fishpond Road 20 years on!

Because Asmodai is an absolute psychopath. And in a world like Warhammer 40K thats saying a lot

At the end of the day Space Marines are supposed to be mankind's protectors not mankind's executioners'.

Sapphon is said to be an unorthodox and counter-current chaplain. From a "meta" point of view, Sapphon does not come from the word "saphire" but from the greek poetess Sapphon (also called Sappho), a native of the island of Lesbos, the words "Sapphic" and "Lesbianism" have been conned after her; the IRL historical truth, however, was not so crass, what she was up to was something the greeks of the times believed quite scandalous: she was giving to girls the same "civic" initiation to puberty that boys received (erastes & eromenos ; which were actually not into sexual relationships, as their are countless textual proofs establishing it against the LGBT propaganda emanating from the WASP-communists universities, while they are very few proofs on their own side aside from some false translations and some deliberately misinterpreted myths or pictures). Hence, as a Manster of Sanctity, Sappho is the "excentric" among the Dark Angels, a chapter with lots of "gay" inuendos here & there.

Asmodai Make Them Repent !!!!!!

The one way I see Asmodai taking the position is through murder, and if that happens then the chapter would be lost.

I'm not out of control you're out of control and then just screams into a pillow

I like you, brother.

OMG...YOU JUST MENTIONED "PICARDIPLOMACY"!!! WHICH IS SEEING SIR PATRICK STEWART BEING THE MOST SUBTLE TALKING BARBOURUS SAVAGE IN THE ROOM AT ALL TIMES!!! LOVE IT BROTHER RHO!! NICE ALLITERATION!!!

Glory for the First !

"loyal" HEAVY air quotation marks there.

Yes! Old school Picard. Not whatever the hell he is supposed to be now.

My favourite thing about Dark Angels is if The Lion came back and saw all this bullshit he would shut it down so fast it would make the heads rolling look slow.

A Interaction for the Interaction God, a Comment for the Comment Throne, for the Almighty Algorithm

The Dark Angels are Just waiting for Alpharius to give them the word to finish what The Lion started at the end of the heresy and show their true colours as a Manchurian legion and attack all the truly loyal chapters.

Saphon seems to be what the lion would've been were he not raised by savagery or well adjusted

I could understand as he is a head of reason and Asmodai is a tad bit insane from what I’ve read 😂